Kenneth Baillis Obituary

Rev. Kenneth J. Baillis

RITTMAN -- Rev. Kenneth J. Baillis, 67, of Rittman, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 14, 2014 at his residence.

He was born June 18, 1946 in East Cleveland to James Baillis and Dorothy (Robinson) Baillis Dorman and had lived in Rittman for the past 10 years.

Ken graduated from Independence High School in the class of 1964; from the University of Mount Union in 1968 and from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio and became an ordained minister in 1971. He married Martha Shoemaker in 1967, they have been happily married for 47 years; she survives.

Ken was a middle school teacher in Perry, Ohio before he entered the Seminary. He was ordained in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church where he served the following United Methodist Churches: Kilbourne in Delaware, Aldersgate in Alliance, West Lafayette, Rittman United Methodist Church, Community in Elyria, Greentown, Hannibal/Clarington Parish and Hope in Akron. He retired after 37 years of active ministry. He enjoyed traveling and hosted multiple trips to the Holy Land. He also visited most of the 50 states as well as Canada, Great Britain, China, Egypt, Rome, Greece and River cruising on the Danube and Rhine Rivers and an ocean cruise in the Polynesian Islands. Ken also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and gardening.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Financial Credit Union of Ohio, past member of the Rittman Rotary Club and active in the Akron Cluster of the Conference Retirees.

Surviving in addition to his wife is daughter, Ellen (Joseph) Wall of Sumner, Ill.; son, Andrew (Connie) Baillis of Rittman; grandchildren, Zachary and AJ Baillis and Hannah, Rebekah and Jacob Wall; brothers, Keith (Pam) Baillis of Nevada and Kevin (Patti Novak) Baillis of Independence.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Gordon Dorman.

Service will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Rittman United Methodist Church, 211 N. Metzger Ave., Rittman, with Reverends Charles R. Kailiszewski and Dennis O. Rinehart and Pastor Joyce Williams officiating. Burial will be at Rittman Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 at Auble-Gillman Funeral Home, 360 W. Sunset Dr., Rittman, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Memorial gifts may be made to The University of Mount Union, Rev. Kenneth and Martha Baillis Academic Scholarship Fund, 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance, OH 44601 or to the memorial fund of one of the churches he served.

For online register book, obituary, condolences, visit www.gillmanfuneralhome.com.